Titanic Memorabilia at auction

Items with relation to large-scale events always attract interest, and the Titanic is no exception. Coming up for auction in March is a collection of Titanic memorabilia, including a handwritten letter sent just one month after the disaster took place.

Amongst the items handed over to us by a keen collector who has had the items for years, is a rare letter sent just one month after the tragedy from one T.Knowles, receiver of wrecks. This letter is probably in relation to the release of pay to a survivor of the sunken ship. It is rare to find such an original artefact from this period so we’re sure this will drum up some interest at our upcoming auction. 

Also included in the collection is a book titled ‘The loss of the Titanic’ written by Lawrence Beesley. Beesley was one of the survivors of the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912, and went on to write a book about his experience that was published just nine weeks after the disaster. Lifeboat No.13 was being launched on the Boat Deck, no women or children were in immediate sight but it seemed there was room for more. As a result, Beesley was instructed to jump into the lifeboat just before it launched. He managed to survive a subsequent incident where Lifeboat No.15 nearly landed on top of No.13. 

Beesley and the rest of the survivors were picked up by RMS Carpathia in the early morning of April 15th. 

Plymouth has played its part in many historical events, from The Mayflower setting sail for North America to the World War Two bombings; but the city also had a role in safely transporting the survivors of RMS Titanic more than 100 years ago. 

Two weeks after the ship sank some of these survivors, who were all crew, were taken to Plymouth before making the journey back to Southampton, where the Titanic first set sail.

About 86 crew members had to stay overnight. The men slept in the passenger waiting rooms, and the 20 stewardesses were put up in a nearby hotel, The Duke of Cornwall. 

The full catalogue for the Antiques & Collectables Auction on the 14th of March will be online soon. We are still taking entries, so if you have anything of interest please do get in touch with our team by sending pictures via WhatsApp on 07432 056261, or giving us a call on 01752 254740.